Piezoelectric-Based Wind Turbine

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) are disclosed. The piezoelectric-based VAWT may generate electricity in response to a deformation (e.g., a stretching or bending) of piezoelectric material. For example, the piezoelectric material may be included on or within a wind turbine blade. The wind turbine blade may be struck by an object or may hit an object. Such an action may cause the wind turbine blade to vibrate and subsequently cause the piezoelectric material to deform and generate electricity.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/492,059 filed on Sep. 21, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/881,951 filed on Sep. 24, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure is related to the field of power generation. Insome embodiments, the present disclosure relates to apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine.

BACKGROUND

Conventional wind turbines utilize the wind to generate electricity orpower. One or more blades of a conventional wind turbine may be used tocatch the wind and to cause the wind turbine blades to turn around arotor. The force of the wind to turn the blades results in the transferof wind energy to the rotor and causes the rotor to spin. The rotor mayalso be connected to a shaft such that when the rotor spins, the shaftspins as well and mechanical and rotational energy is transferred fromthe rotor to the shaft, which is connected to an electrical generator onthe other end.

Conventional wind turbines are large structures and that may alsoinclude many moving parts. Such conventional wind turbines may not bedesirable for powering certain components or devices in variousenvironments. For example, such conventional wind turbines may not beplaced on structures such as bridges or buildings to power a sensor dueto the larger footprint or area of the conventional wind turbines.Additionally, the many moving parts of a conventional wind turbine mayrequire frequent maintenance. Furthermore, powering the sensor may notrequire the electricity generation capability of a conventional windturbine.

As such, what is needed is an apparatus to provide a local source ofelectricity or power with less mechanical complexity and some degree ofportability.

SUMMARY

An apparatus may include one or more wind turbine blades configured torotate along an axis. In some embodiments, the one or more wind turbineblades includes at least some piezoelectric material. One or moreobjects may be in a path associated with the one or more wind turbineblades. Furthermore, the one or more wind turbine blades may strikeagainst the one or more objects in the path as the one or more windturbine blades rotate along the axis so that the piezoelectric materialis associated with at least some mechanical stress in response to thestriking of the one or more wind turbine blades against the one or moreobjects.

In some embodiments, an application of the mechanical stress to thepiezoelectric material results in an electric discharge from thepiezoelectric material.

In some embodiments, the one or more wind turbine blades further mayinclude at least some metal. Furthermore, the piezoelectric material maycover a portion of the metal so that when the one or more wind turbineblades may strike or hit against the one or more objects, the objectsmakes an impact on the metal of the one or more objects that is notcovered by the piezoelectric material.

In some embodiments, the electric discharge may power a sensor.

In some embodiments, the axis is a vertical axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the disclosure are set forth in the appendedclaims. However, for purpose of explanation, several embodiments of thedisclosure are set forth in the following figures.

FIG. 1A illustrates a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B illustrates an overhead view of a piezoelectric-based verticalaxis wind turbine in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a piezoelectric component of apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of the striking of the piezoelectriccomponent to generate electricity in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates a block diagram of a wind turbine blade of apiezoelectric-based VAWT in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example wind turbine blade configuration inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2E illustrates another example of a wind turbine bladeconfiguration in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of a piezoelectric-basedvertical axis wind turbine in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example configuration of apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method of operation of apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with someembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example system including a sensor powered by apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example environment in which one or more sensorspowered by a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine may beplaced in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method to power a sensorfrom the wind gust of a passing vehicle and to detect a vibrationassociated with the passing vehicle in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example piezoelectric-based VAWT inaccordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods disclosed herein relate to power generation. Insome embodiments, the systems and methods relate to apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentdisclosure. However, it will become obvious to those skilled in the artthat the present disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. The description and representation herein are the means used bythose experienced or skilled in the art to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In otherinstances, well known methods, procedures, and systems have not beendescribed in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example piezoelectric-based vertical axis windturbine (VAWT) 100 from a side view perspective. In general, thepiezoelectric-based VAWT may utilize wind forces (e.g., a gust) to turnone or more blades and to apply a mechanical stress (e.g., to twist,bend, and/or cause a vibration) on a piezoelectric material in responseto the turning of the one or more blades.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 100 may include one ormore blades 120 and a rotor 110. In some embodiments, the blades 120 mayturn in response to a gust of wind and the rotor 110 may turn inresponse to the turning or rotating of the blades 120. The blades 120may be placed in a vertical or substantially vertical position and turnor spin around a vertical axis. For example, the blades 120 may turn orrotate around a vertical axis (e.g., the rotor 110) in the direction130. As such, the blades 120 may be arranged to rotate around a verticalaxis and may further be positioned to stand upright or vertically (orsubstantially upright or vertical).

FIG. 1B illustrates a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine 100from an overhead view perspective. As shown, the piezoelectric-basedVAWT 100 includes the blades 120 arranged around a vertical axis androtor 110. Wind forces may push or create a lift force causing theblades 120 to spin (i.e., turn) around the vertical axis in thedirection 130.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a piezoelectric component 200 ofa piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine (e.g., VAWT 100) inaccordance with some embodiments. In general, the piezoelectriccomponent 200 may include piezoelectric material upon which mechanicalstress may be placed or applied upon the piezoelectric material togenerate electricity. In some embodiments, the piezoelectric component200 may be a wind turbine blade as discussed herein.

As shown, the piezoelectric component 200 may include piezoelectricmaterials 210 and 220 and metal material 230. Although the presentdisclosure refers to metal material, alternative materials may also beused. For example, fiber reinforced plastics may be used. In someembodiments, the metal material 230 may be longer or larger than thepiezoelectric materials 210 and 220. For example, the metal material 230may extend further than the piezoelectric materials 210 and 220. In someembodiments, the piezoelectric materials 210 and 220 may be strips ofpiezoelectric material that do not cover the entire surface of the metalmaterial 230 such that a portion of the metal material 230 is notcovered by any piezoelectric material and another portion of the metalmaterial 230 is covered by the piezoelectric materials.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, wires may be coupled to thepiezoelectric material 210 and 220. For example, a wire 225 may beconnected to the piezoelectric material 220 or an electrode embedded onor within the piezoelectric material 220 and a wire 215 may be connectedto the piezoelectric material 210 or an electrode embedded on or withinthe piezoelectric material 210. In some embodiments, a wire may beconnected to the metal material 220. Electric charge generated by thepiezoelectric materials 210 and 220 may be collected by the wires. Forexample, the charge released by the piezoelectric materials 210 and 220may be conducted through the wires 215 and 225 to a battery or powersource component of a sensor.

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material may include, but is notlimited to, ceramics, crystals, polymers, nanostructures, or othermaterials. For example, the piezoelectric materials may be a naturallyoccurring crystal including, but not limited to, Berlinite, Sucrose,Quartz, Rochelle salt, Topaz, and Tourmaline-group minerals. In someembodiments, the piezoelectric materials may be a biological material.In alternative embodiments, the piezoelectric materials may be syntheticcrystals or synthetic ceramics. Examples of synthetic crystals include,but are not limited to, Gallium orthophosphate and Langasite. Examplesof synthetic ceramics include, but are not limited to, ceramics withperovskite or tungsten-bronze structures such as Barium titanate, leadtitanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), potassium niobate, lithiumniobate, lithium tantalite, sodium tungstate, and zinc oxide. Thepiezoelectric materials may further be a lead free ceramic including,but not limited to, sodium potassium niobate, bishmuth ferrite, sodiumniobate, bishmuth titanate, and sodium bishmuth titanate. Furtherexamples of the piezoelectric material include polymers such asPolyvinylidene fluoride and organic nanostructures such asself-assembled diphenylalanine peptide nanotubes.

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric material may be poled in thedirection of the thickness of the piezoelectric material used.

FIG. 2B illustrates a block diagram of the piezoelectric component 200having a mechanical stress applied to it to generate electricity. Asshown, a force 250 may apply mechanical stress to the piezoelectriccomponent 200. In some embodiments, the force 250 may be in result of astriking (i.e., hitting, making an impact) and of the piezoelectriccomponent 200 by an object (e.g., a component of the VAWT) or thepiezoelectric component 200 striking an object and gliding over theobject. In response to the application of the mechanical stress from theimpact of the piezoelectric component 200 with an object, thepiezoelectric component 200 may bend, twist, and/or vibrate. In someembodiments, the vibration of the piezoelectric component 200 may causea mechanical stress to be applied to the piezoelectric material 210 and220. For example, the piezoelectric materials 210 and 220 may stretch,compress, and/or bend in response to the vibrations of the piezoelectriccomponent 200 and, in response to the stretching, compressing, and/orbending caused by the application of the mechanical stress, thepiezoelectric materials 210 and 220 may internally generate an electriccharge (i.e., electricity). Furthermore, the electric charge may beconducted through the wires 215 and 225 to a battery or another source(e.g., to power a sensor).

In some embodiments, the force 250 may be directed towards the metalmaterial 230 of the piezoelectric component 200. For example, the force250 may be directed towards the portion of the metal material 230 thatis not covered by any piezoelectric material 210 or 220. As such, animpact or force may be applied to the metal material of thepiezoelectric component 200 so that there is not any direct impact withthe piezoelectric material 210 or 220. In some embodiments, theapplication of the force to the metal material 230 may result in themechanical stress being applied to the piezoelectric component 200 andthe subsequent stretching, compressing, or bending of the piezoelectricmaterials 210 and 220 along with the bending or twisting of the metalmaterial 230. Such a configuration where the force 250 is applied to ametal portion of the piezoelectric component 200 instead of thepiezoelectric portions may ensure that damage to the piezoelectricportions is reduced. For example, certain piezoelectric materials may bebrittle and a direct impact by a force 250 may result in the damaging ofthe piezoelectric materials. By arranging the piezoelectric componentsor an object that the piezoelectric component will make an impact withat positions where the force of the impact will be at the metal portionswill preserve the piezoelectric portions.

As such, in some embodiments, a non-piezoelectric portion (e.g., metalor other material) of a piezoelectric component or a wind turbine blademay be hit or struck by an object. The non-piezoelectric portion maythen vibrate and cause a deformation in the piezoelectric material thatis placed on or within the non-piezoelectric material. For example, thehousing of a wind turbine blade may be made of a first type of material(e.g., metal). Piezoelectric material may be placed on top of or withinthe first type of material. The wind turbine blade may strike or hit anobject such that the object hits or strikes a portion of the first typeof material. The first type of material may then vibrate and in responseto the vibrating, the piezoelectric material either on or within thefirst type of material may deform (e.g., stretch, bend, etc.).

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric component 200 may be included ona blade (e.g., blade 120) of a VAWT. In the same or alternativeembodiments, the blade of a VAWT (e.g., VAWT 100) may be thepiezoelectric component 200 itself or at least one piezoelectricmaterial (e.g., a strip 210 or 220) may be placed on the blade of aVAWT. As such, the piezoelectric component 200 may itself be verticallyarranged to turn along a vertical axis and coupled to a rotor of a VAWT.The piezoelectric component 200 may be positioned such that when theblade of the VAWT turns, the metal portion of the piezoelectriccomponent 200 is struck by an object that applies a mechanical stress tothe piezoelectric material resulting in the generation of an electriccharge.

In some embodiments, the blade or piezoelectric component may include anon-metal material. For example, a blade or piezoelectric component maycontain an insulator or non-metal portion instead of the metal portionas previously disclosed with piezoelectric material on each side of theinsulator material. A metal material may then be placed over each of thepiezoelectric material portions. Furthermore, in some embodiments, anelectrode may be embedded in or positioned on the metal portion and becoupled to a wire for transmission of the generated electricity.

FIG. 2C illustrates a block diagram of a blade 255 of apiezoelectric-based VAWT. As shown, the blade 255 may include apiezoelectric strip 260 that is attached to the metal portion of theblade 255. In some embodiments, the metal portion 251 of the blade 255may be the location where an object will place a force 270 onto theblade 255. As such, the blade 255 may be part of a VAWT and may rotatearound a vertical axis. The blade 255 may make an impact with an objectat the metal portion 251 and the blade 255 may go over the object as themetal portion 251 slides over the object. In response to the blade 255going over the object, the blade 255 may vibrate and cause thepiezoelectric strip 260 to stretch, compress, or twist.

FIG. 2D illustrates an example wind turbine blade configuration inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown, the example wind turbineblade configuration may include a metal blade 275 with piezoelectricpatches or components 276 embedded within the metal blade 275. In someembodiments, an insulation layer may also be between the piezoelectricpatches or components 276 and the metal blade. In the same oralternative embodiments, the wind turbine blade configuration mayinclude a piezoelectric patch or component on the top and the bottom ofthe wind turbine blade. FIG. 2D may represent a cross section of thewind turbine blade similar to FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2E illustrates another example of a wind turbine bladeconfiguration in accordance with some embodiments. In general, theexample as shown in FIG. 2E is a wind turbine blade 280 withpiezoelectric material or components in the interior of the wind turbineblade. For example, the wind turbine blade may include a hollow portionor slot in the body of the wind turbine blade such that a piezoelectricstrip may be inserted into the slot of the wind turbine blade. As such,the piezoelectric material may be located in the interior of the windturbine blade and may be removable and replaced as needed. In someembodiments, there may be multiple slots or one slot with multiplepiezoelectric sheets within a single wind turbine blade. In someembodiments, the top (or bottom, side, etc.) portion of the wind turbineblade may be removable. Furthermore, the slot or slots may be accessibleonce the top portion of the wind turbine blade has been removed. Assuch, a portion of the wind turbine blade may be removed in order toreveal or access one or more slots for the inserting of piezoelectricmaterial or sheets. In some embodiments, the removable portion of thewind turbine blade may be a core component that includes piezoelectricmaterial and insulating material.

In some embodiments, the patches are along the length of the blade. Forexample, a thin strip of metal within the blade body may be coupled tothe piezoelectric patches (e.g., the piezoelectric patches are attachedto the metal). In some embodiments, the piezoelectric patches ormaterials may be poled in the thickness direction of the blade.Furthermore, in some embodiments, the wind turbine blade may act as anexternal mass for the piezoelectric segment of the wind turbine bladeand may also provide an aerodynamic shape necessary for harnessing windenergy.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example configuration of a piezoelectric-basedvertical axis wind turbine 300 in accordance with some embodiments. Ingeneral, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 300 may include at least one blade(e.g., piezoelectric component 200, blade 255, etc.) that includes atleast some piezoelectric material such that when the blade turns, animpact is made between the blade and an object so that a mechanicalstress is applied onto the piezoelectric material (e.g., piezoelectricmaterial 210 and/or 220) of the blade.

As shown, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 300 may include a plurality ofblades 200 coupled to a rotor 330. The blades 200 may turn or spin inresponse to a wind force pushing against the blades 200. As the blades200 are coupled to the rotor 330, the rotor may also spin or turn inresponse to the turning of the blades 200 by the wind force.Furthermore, as shown, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 300 may also includeat least one object 320. In some embodiments, the object 320 may be anobject placed (i.e., embedded) into the housing or structure of thepiezoelectric-based VAWT. In some embodiments, the object 320 may beconsidered a bump in the housing or inner structure (e.g., wall) of thepiezoelectric-based VAWT 300. The object 320 may be positioned withinthe piezoelectric-based VAWT 300 so that when the blades 200 turns, atleast one of the blades will strike or hit the object 320. For example,the placement of the object 320 may be such that the object will strikea metal portion (e.g., metal portion 230) of the blades 200 and not thepiezoelectric portions (e.g., piezoelectric material 210 and 220) of theblades 200. The hitting or striking of the object 320 with the blade 200may result in the application of a mechanical stress to the blade, andthus, to the piezoelectric material or component included in or on theblade 200. As such, electricity may be generated by the piezoelectricmaterial as previously disclosed with relation to FIGS. 2A-2C. In someembodiments, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 300 may include interior andouter bumps or objects. For example, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 300may include objects 320 and 340 to provide outer and inner objects orbumps in the path of the blades.

In some embodiments, the blades 200 may hit or strike against theobjects 320 and/or 340 and may glide or over the objects 320 and/or 340.Such hitting or striking may cause vibrations (e.g., bending vibrations)in the blades 200 and such vibrating may cause further mechanical stressto the piezoelectric material.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example configuration of apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine 400 in accordance withsome embodiments. In general, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 400 mayinclude one or more blades coupled to a rotor so that when the bladesturn, a portion of the rotor may strike or make an impact with one ormore piezoelectric components (e.g., piezoelectric components 200).

As shown, the piezoelectric-based VAWT 400 may include blades 410. Insome embodiments, the blades 410 may be made of metal material. However,in alternative embodiments, the blades 200 may be made of any other typeof material. The piezoelectric-based VAWT 400 may further includepiezoelectric components 420 (which may also be piezoelectric components200) and a rotor component 430. In some embodiments, the piezoelectriccomponents 420 may include piezoelectric portions 421 and 422 and ametal portion 423 that is not covered by the piezoelectric portions 421and 422. For example, the piezoelectric component 420 may include acentral metal portion and piezoelectric strips attached or coupled tothe sides of the central metal portion. However, the piezoelectricstrips may only cover a segment of the metal portion such that thepiezoelectric strips do not cover certain parts of the metal portion.

In operation, the blades 410 may turn in response to a wind force (e.g.,a gust) and the rotor component 430 may turn as the rotor turns inresponse to the turning of the blades 410. As the rotor component 430turns, the rotor component 430 may make an impact against thepiezoelectric components 420. For example, the rotor component 430 maymake an impact against the metal portion 423 that is not covered by thepiezoelectric portions 421 and 422. As such, the rotor component 430 mayinclude portions that extend outwards to strike the metal portion 423 ofthe piezoelectric components 420. As the metal portion 423 is impactedby the rotor component 430, mechanical stress is applied to thepiezoelectric components 420, resulting in the stretching, compressing,and/or bending of the piezoelectric components 420 and the includedpiezoelectric portions 421 and 422. The resulting deformation (e.g.,stretching, compressing, bending) of the piezoelectric portions 421 and422 results in the generation of electricity.

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric components 420 may be positionedeither horizontally or vertically. For example, as shown, thepiezoelectric components 420 may be positioned horizontally underneaththe blades 410. Alternatively, the piezoelectric components 420 may bepositioned vertically such that the rotor component 430 may strikeagainst the metal portion of the vertical piezoelectric components 420.

In some embodiments, the piezoelectric components 420 may be arranged orconfigured along the top or bottom of the piezoelectric-based VAWT 400.For example, the piezoelectric components 420 may be arranged radiallyat the bottom of the piezoelectric-based VAWT 400 and below the blades410. Furthermore, a component (e.g., a cam or rotor component) may pressdown on portions of the piezoelectric components 420. For example, inresponse to the rotating of the blades 420, a compressing componentwithin the piezoelectric-based VAWT 400 may move up and down. In someembodiments, the compressing component may press down on a portion ofthe piezoelectric components 420. For example, the compressing componentmay press down on the metal portion 423 or other such portion that isnot covered by the piezoelectric portions 421 and/or 422. In response tothe compressing, the metal portion 423 or other non-piezoelectricportion may vibrate, causing a deformation in the piezoelectric portionsas previously discussed. As such, instead of the bumps or objectsstriking the blades as disclosed, the blades and rotor may not strikeanother object. Instead, the blades may continuously turn unimpeded inresponse to a wind gust and the turning of the blades may cause thecompressing component to periodically move up and down such that adownward movement of the compressing component may cause the compressingcomponent to hit or press down on the portion of the piezoelectriccomponents 420 that does not cover piezoelectric material.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method 500 illustratingthe operation of an example piezoelectric-based vertical axis windturbine. In general, the method 500 may describe the operation of apiezoelectric-based VAWT (e.g., VAWT 300 and/or 400).

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 may involve the turning, at step 510,of one or more wind turbine blades. For example, a plurality of windturbine blades of a vertical axis wind turbine may rotate or turn alonga vertical axis in response to the wind flow against the wind turbineblades. In response to the turning of the wind turbine blades, at leastone piezoelectric component may be hit or make an impact with anotherobject at step 520. For example, the wind turbine blades may themselvesinclude at least some piezoelectric material as previously disclosedwith relation to FIG. 3. In another embodiment, a rotor or rotorcomponent that turns in response to the turning of the wind turbineblades may hit or make an impact against a piezoelectric component aspreviously disclosed with relation to FIG. 4. At step 530, at least somepiezoelectric material may generate an electric charge (i.e.,electricity) in response to the impact of the piezoelectric componentwith an object. For example, the piezoelectric material may bend ortwist in response to mechanical stress applied in response to theimpact. At step 540, the generated electric charge may be received by awire and, in turn, may be stored in a battery or to power anothercomponent (e.g., a sensor) as discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system 600 including a sensor powered by apiezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine. In general, the system600 may include at least one piezoelectric-based VAWT 610 (e.g., VAWT300, 400, or any other type of piezoelectric-based VAWT) that is used asa power source for a sensor 630. The piezoelectric-based VAWT 610 maygenerate electricity in response to a wind force turning a blade of thepiezoelectric-based VAWT 610 and resulting in mechanical stress appliedto a piezoelectric material that generates electricity. Thepiezoelectric material may be connected to or coupled with a wire 630that is connected or coupled to a battery or the sensor 630. As such,when the blades of the piezoelectric-based VAWT 610 turn in response toa wind force, the sensor 630 may be powered by the electric discharge ofthe piezoelectric material in the piezoelectric-based VAWT 610.

FIG. 7 illustrates an environment 700 in which one or more sensorspowered by a piezoelectric-based vertical axis wind turbine (e.g., VAWT300 and/or 400) may be placed. In general, the environment 700 mayinclude a structure with sensors on or near the structure to receiveand/or analyze signals. The sensors may be used to monitor thestructural integrity of the structure upon which the sensors are placed.As such, vibrations, acoustics, and any other type of signal may bereceived.

As shown, the environment 700 may include a structure 710. In someembodiments, the structure 710 may be a bridge. Although the disclosuregenerally relates to a bridge, one skilled in the art will recognizethat the disclosure may be applied to any type of structure. Forexample, the structure 710 may be, but is not limited to, a building,roadway, aircraft, sea vessel, train, automobile, and so forth. Thestructure 710 may be monitored by a plurality of sensors 720 powered bypiezoelectric-based VAWTs 730. For example, the piezoelectric-basedVAWTs 730 may be arranged or placed at certain points on the structure710 that are ideal for experiencing wind forces and the sensors 720 maybe placed to receive vibration signals. For example, the sensors 720 maybe placed at portions on the bridge for receiving vibration signals andthe piezoelectric-based VAWTs 730 may be placed at a location where awind gust from a passing vehicle 740 (e.g., a car, truck, etc.) maygenerate a wind force 750 against the blades of the piezoelectric-basedVAWTs 730. As such, the passing of a vehicle by the piezoelectric-basedVAWTs 730 on the structure 710 may generate a gust of wind that maycreate a wind force against the blades of piezoelectric-based VAWTs 730that are coupled to each of the sensors 720. Thus, a piezoelectric-basedVAWT may generate power in response to a wind gust from a passingvehicle and a corresponding sensor may detect a signal from the samepassing vehicle (or from the structure when the passing vehicle is onit) that has created the wind gust.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of a method 800 to power a sensor fromthe wind gust of a passing vehicle and to detect a vibration associatedwith the passing vehicle. As shown, the method 800 may receive, at step810, a wind gust from a passing vehicle. For example, apiezoelectric-based VAWT (e.g., VAWT 300, 400, etc.) may be placed on astructure (e.g., structure 710). At step 820, one or more blades of thepiezoelectric-based VAWT may turn, rotate, or spin in response to thewind gust of the passing vehicle. For example, the wind gust may pushagainst the blades of the piezoelectric-based VAWT and cause the bladesto rotate around a vertical axis. At step 830, a mechanical stress maybe applied to a component including piezoelectric material and, at step840, electricity may be generated from the application of the mechanicalstress to the piezoelectric material. At step 850, the generatedelectricity may power a sensor. Furthermore, at step 860, the sensor maydetect a vibration associated with the passing vehicle. As such, thesensor may be powered by the wind gust of the passing vehicle and maydetect a vibration of the structure that is associated with the passingvehicle as it is driving through the structure. In some embodiments, thedetection of the vibration of the structure may be used to identify thestructural integrity of the structure.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example piezoelectric-based VAWT inaccordance with some embodiments. In general, the piezoelectric-basedVAWT 900 includes blades 920 with piezoelectric material or components,bumps or objects 940 in the path of the blades, a base 910, and a slipring 930. In some embodiments, the blades 920 may rotate along avertical or substantially vertical axis within the base 910. In someembodiments, the base 910 may also include objects or bumps 940 in thepath of the blades 920 such that when the blades 920 rotate, one or moreof the blades will strike against one of the bumps or objects 940. Inthe same or alternative embodiments, the piezoelectric components ormaterial 932 on a blade 920 may be coupled to a wire 931. In someembodiments, the wire 931 is coupled or connected to a slip ring 930.The slip ring 930 may be a component in which a wire 931 from each ofthe piezoelectric material on each of the blades is connected to and theslip ring 930 may receive electricity generated from the piezoelectricmaterial. In some embodiments, the electricity may then be transferredto a component in the base 910 and a subsequent connection from the base910 may be used to power another device such as a sensor or a battery.In some embodiments, the slip ring is an electromechanical device thatallows the transmission of power and electrical signals from astationary to a rotating structure or from the rotating structure to thestationary structure. The slip ring may be used in any electromechanicalsystem that requires unrestrained, intermittent or continuous rotationwhile transmitting power and/or data.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a wind turbine blade comprising a first portion that comprises a piezoelectric material and a second portion that does not comprise the piezoelectric material; and a structure comprising one or more objects and the wind turbine blade, wherein the one or more objects are at a position within the structure that is in a path of the wind turbine blade.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position of the one or more objects in the path of the wind turbine blade corresponds to the second portion of the wind turbine blade that does not comprise the piezoelectric material.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion that comprises the piezoelectric material is inside of the second portion that does not comprise the piezoelectric material.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects are coupled to a rotor associated with the housing.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more objects are bumps in the structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the position of the one or more objects in the path of the wind turbine blade corresponds to the one or more objects striking the second portion of the wind turbine blade that does not comprise the piezoelectric material when the wind turbine blade rotates within the structure.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a vertical axis wind turbine.
 8. A wind turbine blade comprising: an exterior portion that is not covered by a piezoelectric material; and an interior portion that is disposed within the exterior portion, wherein the interior portion comprises piezoelectric material.
 9. The wind turbine blade of claim 8, further comprising: an insulating portion comprising insulating material that is between the exterior portion that is not covered by the piezoelectric material and the interior portion that comprises the piezoelectric material.
 10. The wind turbine blade of claim 8, wherein a portion of the exterior portion is removable to expose the interior portion.
 11. The wind turbine blade of claim 10, wherein the portion of the exterior portion that is removable is a top portion of the exterior portion.
 12. The wind turbine blade of claim 8, wherein the interior portion comprises at least one slot, and wherein the piezoelectric material is within the slot.
 13. The wind turbine blade of claim 12, wherein the piezoelectric material is removable from the slot.
 14. A wind turbine blade comprising: a first portion that comprises piezoelectric material; and a second portion that does not comprise piezoelectric material, wherein the second portion is longer than the first portion and the first portion is on the second portion so that the second portion that does not comprise piezoelectric material extends beyond the first portion that comprises piezoelectric material.
 15. The wind turbine blade of claim 14, further comprising: an insulating material that is between the second portion that is not covered by the piezoelectric material and the first portion that comprises the piezoelectric material.
 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising a wire coupled to the first portion that comprises piezoelectric material, wherein the wire is to receive a current from the piezoelectric material.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the second portion comprises a metal material. 